I've gone back and forth on this game all week and I'm having trouble making a pick. I think I know why:

This game will come down to the wire.

If so, I'll consider myself hitting this game on the head even if I don't get the winner right. (It's up to you folks as to whether you want to buy that garbage I'm trying to sell you right now.)

I just think this is really going to be a battle of the Giants' pass rush vs. the Eagles' deep passing attack. Both snapped out of their funks last week and I can't figure out which one is legit. I know what I said about Strahan the other day and I really believe that. But he's going to need some help and the Eagles will keep in as many blockers as possible to give Donovan McNabb time. If he gets it, he will absolutely torch this Giants secondary. If he doesn't, he'll go back to looking like the McNabb from the first two weeks.

I think we'll know early, so watch the rush up front over the first few drives. That will be a good indication.

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SUNDAY'S GAME: vs. Eagles, 8:15 p.m., Ch. 4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: In addition to what I mentioned above, let's see how well RT Kareem McKenzie and DE Trent Cole get along. There was a little bit of kicking involved last year if you recall. And this should be a good matchup anyway.

In the secondary, let's see how well Eagles CB William James does against his old team. He's the Birds' best shot at shutting down WR Plaxico Burress. After all, Sheldon Brown has had a rough time with Burress the last few years.

THE LINE: Eagles by 2½, Over-under 47½.

THE PICK: The over-under is way too high. The line is a half-point too low. Eagles 20, Giants 17.

NON-GIANTS PICKS: Chargers (-11½) over the Chiefs in the paper. Packers (-2) over Vikes here.

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UNCLE PETE SAYS: I know this is a football blog, but how bout dem Mets? Sept. 12th -- 7 game lead, Sept. 28th -- tied for division lead. Can you say CHOKE? Can the Fightin' Phils actually win this thing?

Weird card this week. Nine (that's right, 9) home dogs. Home dogs are usually moneymakers, but look at the dogs in question and proceed with caution.

Week 3 record 1-2-1 (my thanks to Gang Green for permitting the back door push)
Season to date 2-9-1

NYJ (-3½) over BUF - I guess I'm a glutton for punishment, but I can't see BUF hanging here. Jets have covered 8 of their last 10 regular season road games and are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 as a road favorite.

MIA (-4½) over OAK - Raiders have lost 12 straight road games by an average margin of 15.5 points and are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. AFC East opponents. Also, OAK has covered only 1 of their last 7 meetings vs. MIA and has lost 4 straight @ MIA.

SD (-11½) over KC - SD is on a 13-4-3 ATS run vs. AFC West opponents and has covered its last 4 home meetings with KC. I expect Bolts to make it 5.

CHI-DET OVER 45 - I saw the Millen's ATTEMPT to play defense last week vs. Philly and with the Bears being really banged up on D, I expect this one to be a shootout. Is their an over/under on number of Kitna pass attempts? If so, take the over.

Peace, VN

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Nobody plays through pain like VN. Well, maybe Burress.

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Btw, our Colin Stephenson reports RB Brandon Jacobs was suited up and ready for practice today. He also says WR Plaxico Burress stood to the side and caught balls from the Juggs machine. Doesn't look like Burres is going to practice, but we'll see what he and Jacobs do today.